why haven't i finished posting traveling tips???

a. i had 3 post all written and ready to go when "poof" they disappeared into internet limbo

b. i am finishing up about a billion last minute projects, doing buttloads of laundry, cleaning my bum off, oh yeah and taking care of 3 normally really good boys who have recently started to act like major whiny, fighting, major turds!
c. not sleeping well and after the disappearance of my 3 really really good post decided i don't feel like writing everything over.

bah! looks like it will all have to wait. i do have a vacation to pack for you know!

best lunch ever! my mom made this amazing pizza for lunch today and no kidding it was the tastiest thing my mouth has ever partaken of. you should definitely try it!

i was in the midst of taking photos for a tutorial and it started raining. hopefully i can get some decent photos to show you what i have been up too.

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for as long as i can remember my family took a big road trip every year from utah to disneyland. my parents had five children so you can imagine how crowded the minivan was with 7 people and a whole lot of stuff!

 well my little family has continued on with this fun family tradition. each year we save our pennies to go to california and go to disneyland and the beach.

 i am extremely lucky to have pretty good travelers. my kids kind of zone out and do their own thing but there does come a time in the trip where they have had it with sitting in a car.

 throughout the years i have learned some things that work at keeping my kids happy those last few hours. this year i will have a 5,3 and 2 year old (all active, wiggly boys!) i wanted to prepare as much as i could to make this a pleasant trip. each day this week i will give tips and ideas for different things like- keeping your kids entertained in the car, keeping kids comfy and fun food ideas, tutorials, disneyland specific tips and more! today i'm talking about...

 tips for keeping your kids entertained in the car-

+ go to the library with your kids and get a few books. my kids also love listening to books on tape ( or cd) we also have a pretty good collection at home. my kids really like the magic tree house series, curious george, harry potter, and other short stories. storynory is a great website with free stories to download. we have an extra ipod that is just for kid stuff. there is nothing worse than a killer run being interrupted by the magic tree house! nothing!

+dvd player. we were lucky enough to get my sisters old dual dvd players. i love having them in the car for long trips. i try not to over-use it though. i really like my kids to use them as a last resort, when they are getting grumpy, bored and tired.we like to get at least one new show they haven't seen, we either buy it and stash it away, or borrow one from a friend.

+the dollar store! there are some pretty cool little things to be found at the dollar stores. dollar tree has some cute little toy story toys right now. also target has a pretty cool dollar section. i have some things i got there that i will show you later.


+ try something fun that you might not think of. why not let your kids play with pipe cleaners? they can create swords, guns, animals, whatever. we did this once for my primary ( church) class and they loved it! they created animals and bracelets and all sorts of things. i have even read to give your smaller kids a roll of tape. that would keep my two year old occupied for awhile! psot it notes would be fun too.

+my friend ginnie,( she's funny) had the fabulous suggestion of giving each kid a box of band aids. our dollar tree has marvel superhero ones right now.my boys would love to have free reign over a box of band aids.

+road trip games. my kids are kind of young to play most of these but i might try a few out.

+pack a ball, frisbee or jumprope for when you take a break for the road. have your kids run around as much as possible when out of the car.

+on that note we always make it a point to either find a park and eat lunch there or visit somewhere with a playplace. if you are headed to california from utah st. george has a nice, big mcdonalds.

+costco had some great sticker books. they are around $7 but my kids love them.

+ how about a cheap photo album? that would be fun

+ magazine and other crap you get in the mail. recently my kids have become obsessed with those damn costume magazines that come this time of year. i hid them all to pull out for our trip. they spend a long time looking at them and telling me they want to be darth vader, no jengo fett, no clone trooper not a storm trooper... oriental trading, and toy magazine are equally as thrilling.

+ conatiners of any types. my kids love altoid tins, cigar boxes, lunch boxes, anything that you can pack small toys or other gadgets into. one of their favorite toys of all time is a small white tin with a handle my mother in law gave them, inside are frogs and lizards and outside is bug magnets. they play with it all the time and don't get sick of it.


 tip:: you don't have to spend much money making your trip more entertaining either. there are many resources online with projects that take only pennies to make and a little time.



family fun has a whole page dedicated to road trip activities, with games, printable and more. there is sure to be something that will work for you and your family! i recently purchase a laminator for a great deal and plan on laminating most things so that they last longer. but even if they only last in the car and keep my kids occupied, then it is all good to me!
here are some i plan on using from that site-
+create a creature
+superhero paper doll
 
another great site is disney family
here are some of my favorites.
+felt perry the platypus. my boys love phineas and ferb. i'm making them each one of these hilarious perry felt toys.
+toy story magnets
+toy story playset
+toy story fun book
 
 

+this felt oogie boogie man is rad. what kid wouldn't like stuffing him with bugs and frogs?!
pretty sure a mini version of this light saber would amuse my kids
here are some darling girl ideas, pretty sure my sweet little 3 year old would love some of the tinkerbell things too. ( he has a thing for "his girl" tinkerbell)
 

 
+magnet boards are one of my kids favorites. we get them a Michael's of another local craft store and use a coupon.
 

+toobs, again we get them at micheals with a coupon. they are alot of fun and the perfect size.
 
find other great ideas-
here
 

what are some of your favorite tips for keeping kids entertained on the road?

 
 

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the first week in october is going to be a fun one. we are taking a long car trip to disneyland.(yay!) traveling with kids is always interesting to say the least. i have pretty easy travelers but anything i can do to help my 3 young boys have an easier and more comfortable trip is always good. well i've decided that since i'm gathering ideas and making some fun things i might as well bring you along for the ride! come back next week for some tutorials, guest bloggers and other tips to make traveling with kids easier!  if you have some tips leave a comment and i will compile a list of tips.

ps. if anyone wants to be a guest poster i would love it! let me know at jacquelynbateman@hotmail.com

note to self...
when i am not being lame anymore and eating sugar again. i will make these peanut butter brownies. and i will eat more than one.

i have seen the linky love feature on a few blogs and have enjoyed going through and finding new things. i thought i would show you guys some of the great things i've noticed in the past little while.

random linky love...

this portable bucket grill looks so great. it would have come in mighty handy on our trip to bear lake.

so many delicious looking recipes and healthy too! i'm making these for my boys today

this post by nienie

this new to me blog. i saw her on freshly picked. she is totally inspiring! simple, hip, handmade clothes.

awesome, creative, talented etsy stores 

 my friend sent me the link to this blog with  tons of free educational ideas and printouts.

the most perfect looking granny chic bed ever. i adore everything that tif does. she has the most perfect house ever.

this pretty modern family tree

the best boy halloween tees

whew looks like i have alot on my mind!

recipe exchange

kelly over at according to kelly had a great idea to do a dinner recipe exchange.  the point being to post a whole weeks worth of recipes on your blog, then she will compile them all into one place. i thought that it was a super great idea and decided to join. here are some of my favorite go to recipes.
Spicy Chicken Peanut Noodles
Ingredients -
* 4 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 1 lb. raw/peeled/cleaned shrimp
* 8 oz. dry spaghetti or linguine
* 1/4 cups dry roasted peanuts
* 1/2 cup chopped cilantro


For Marinade



* 1 T Soy sauce
* 1 T Brown sugar
* 1 T Peanut oil ( i used sesame)
* 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt


For Peanut Sauce ( i took the advice of rose and 2x it)
* 1/2 c. Chicken broth
* 1/4 c. Creamy peanut butter
* 2 T Brown sugar
* 2 T Rice Vinegar
* 2 T Fresh Lime Juice
* 1 T Soy Sauce
* 1 T Fresh Ginger, minced
* 1 T Chili Garlic sauce
* 1/2 c. Fresh cilantro
For Cucumber Sambal (again, I doubled it. So good!)
* 1 c. cucumber (seed and dice if you don't use english cucs)
* 1/2 c. Scallions
* 1/4 c. Red bell pepper, diced
* 3 T Rice Vinegar
* 1 T Sugar
* 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
* 1/2 T Kosher salt

Preparation Instructions Don't be scared by the long list of ingredients. This meal is really easy to throw together. First, preheat grill to medium-high. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti.

Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Toss with chicken and grill for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove chicken from grill pan, and tent with foil while preparing the other ingredients.

Prepare the cucumber sambal by tossing together the sambal ingredients. Set aside till serving.

Cook the pasta according to pkg.

directions; drain and return to the pot. Meanwhile, prepare the peanut sauce. Heat broth, peanut butter, brown sugar, vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce, ginger, and chili garlic sauce in a saucepan over medium heat to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Off heat, stir cilantro and salt, then pour sauce over pasta and toss to coat.

Top each chicken breast with pasta and cucumber sambal.

Garnish with more fresh cilantro and peanuts.

+marv and joes- a Utah State University favorite... i seriously ate them almost every day for lunch. i think mine are better too.


ingredients-
+wheat bread ( you could use white or sourdough too.
+homemade garlic butter
+fresh sliced tomatoes
+olive oil and red wine vinegar ( i leave off the oil)
+grated parmesan cheese
+provolone cheese
+freshly ground pepper


toast bread in toaster or oven. spread on garlic butter. top with tomato, add vinegar and pepper. top with a slice of provolone cheese, then sprinkle with parmesan. broil until browned and bubbly. delicious!




one of my favorite dinners of all time...

+southwestern chili mac
get the recipe at just cook already. a great cooking blog that i have contributed to in the past.


+ breakfast for dinner-zephyr pancakes, homemade buttermilk syrup
+ cornflake chicken


ingredients-
-boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders ( if using breast i cut them in to long strips or pound them out thinner.
-3 cups of crushed cornflakes
-1 packet of dry Italian dressing
- freshly grated parmesan cheese
-melted butter


directions-
preheat oven to 350.
melt butter and but in a bowl deep enough to fit chicken. mix crushed cornflakes, dressing packet and cheese in a large ziploc baggie. dip chicken into butter, then throw in bag and shake. bake for 20-30 minutes until chicken is done. my boys looooove this one.

+fried rice. i already loved this recipe then i saw that kami for no biggie used rotissere chicken instead of cooking her own. sooo tasty! i also use brown rice and less butter.